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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Full screen

Mono Lake

Mono County, California · 45,100 acres (70.5 sq mi)

Caution

51°F water, windy Friday (40 mph S).

Water51°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today40 mphS
Best bite6:00 amto 7:00 am

About Mono Lake

Mono Lake spreads over 45,100 acres in Mono County, California. Mono Lake is one of the oldest lakes in North America; its saline, alkaline water supports no fish, only brine shrimp and alkali flies that feed millions of migratory birds.

From end to end it runs about 13 miles with roughly 47 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 6,380 ft above sea level. The deepest water is about 159 ft, with an average depth near 57 ft. Bridgeport lies about 16 miles to the northwest.

Size
45,100 acres (70.5 sq mi)
Deepest
About 159 ft (average 57 ft)
Shoreline
About 47 miles
End to end
About 13 miles
Elevation
About 6,380 ft
Type
Salt lake
County
Mono County

The lake from above

3 miles N
Outline of the lake.

Best fishing times

Friday Fair

  • 6:00 am – 7:00 am bestsunrise
  • 3:15 pm – 4:00 pmsunset, moon overhead · wind 40 mph

Saturday Good

  • 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
  • 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 0 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

The water is too salty or too shallow for the usual game fish, so this is a lake to visit for the views, the birds and the shore, not for a fishing day.

Water temperature

51°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Friday 47° / 38° 40 mph S Light Rain Likely · 89% rain
Saturday 48° / 30° 5 mph Sunny
Sunday 51° / 35° 15 mph S Sunny

Sunrise 6:34 am · sunset 4:45 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Mono Lake

  • Bridgeportabout 16 mi northwest
  • Mammoth Lakesabout 20 mi south
  • Yosemite Valleyabout 29 mi southwest

Prices and availability come from booking partners; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Questions about Mono Lake

How deep is Mono Lake?

About 159 ft at the deepest point, about 57 ft on average. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.

How big is Mono Lake?

45,100 acres, with about 47 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Mono Lake?

Bridgeport is about 16 miles northwest; Mammoth Lakes is about 20 miles south.

What is the water temperature at Mono Lake today?

The surface was about 51°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Mono Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

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